Sudan kidnap negotiations 'progressing well'
Sunday, 12 July 2009 22:24
A Sudanese government minister has said Negotiations with the kidnappers of two aid workers in Darfur are progressing well.
Irish woman Sharon Commins and her Ugandan colleague Hilda Kawuki, who both work for the charity Goal, were abducted from the agency's compound in Darfur nine days ago.
State minister for humanitarian affairs Abdel Baqi al-Jailani also said officials have established regular contact with the abducted women.
'I think we may have good news soon ... People are negotiating with them now,' he said.
'The two ladies are in contact with the mission in El Fasher every day.
'They are being very brave and dealing with the situation they are in.'
On Friday, the Sudanese Ambassador to Ireland met with the family of Ms Commins in Dublin and brought a letter from Sudanese President Omar al Bashir.
Meanwhile, Irish negotiators and government officials are still in Sudan trying to help.
A bitter conflict over the past six years between the government and rebels in Darfur has left hundreds of thousands of people dead.
- Nine News: Kate Egan reports that a Sudanese govt minister has said negotiations to free two kidnapped aid workers were 'progressing well'
- Six One News: Kate Egan reports that a Sudanese govt minister has said negotiations with the kidnappers of an Irish aid worker and her Ugandan colleague are progressing well
